Boeing completes detailed design of 787 wing fix

27 October, 2009

SOURCE: Air Transport Intelligence news

BY: Jon Ostrower

Washington DC

Boeing engineers have completed detailed design and computer validation of the final aspects of the 787 wing fix, the company says. The the final parts are currently being fabricated for the side of body modification that has kept the 787 grounded.

Once complete, the parts will be shipped to Everett for installation aboard the static test airframe followed by full-scale validation. Installation is also currently progressing on the first 787, ZA001, as well.Boeing declined to say how long the final fittings would take to fabricate, but that they would be ready "soon".

The company will continue subcomponent testing of the wing fix through the full-scale validation process, but adds that the data collected on the reinforcement so far has provided positive results.

News that Etihad's partner Air Berlin has followed stablemate Alitalia into a formal restructuring process on top of the Gulf carrier's own exit from holdings in Darwin Airline and, before that, Aer Lingus leaves its European investment strategy in a state of disarray.

Now that Etihad Airways has elected to stop funding Air Berlin, forcing the German carrier to file for assembly, a central question is which parts of the business can continue to operate in the long term.